Recent content by SteveW

I was mulling this POD over and looked this up- what would be the effect of Sweden stopping its iron ore exports to Russia? Would they have been sizeable enough to make a difference? Also, would there have been much in the way of reaction amongst the Swedish-speaking Finns under Russian rule?

That all sounds pretty sensible to me, I will have to think that over- thanks! Unfortunately I'm not sure where I want to go with this so I'm taking a break to think it through properly, also have another idea I want to play with.

Summer of Content The summer of 1954 proved to be a great time for Macmillan. As Gaitskell bitterly fought Bevan for control of Labour, the Prime Minister was allowed a relatively free hand, but one that, as ever, he used with calculated restraint. He and MacLeod continued to arrange for the...

Many thanks- I'll be interested to see yours!

Well I've been over to Coventry a few times in the last couple of years, and always thought about how it could have been- and a friend of mine from the Cov area has told me on many occasions that some of the worst ravages on the city were executed in the Fifties by the town planners, so it...

Good point, I shall make a decision!

Could Deodoro himself have been appointed PM?

Labour Pains March saw a surprise result that did a great deal to ensconce Macmillan in his position. The high-flying Labour MP William Field had been forced to resign after being arrested on morals charges [1] and there was a by-election in Paddington North. This seat had been Labour since...

Ups and Downs Early 1954 started with a little local difficulty, as the Crichel Down affair led to the Agriculture Minister, Thomas Dugdale, resigning. Thankfully for Macmillan, Dugdale's decision to take full responsibility took the flak and Derick Heathcoat-Amory was swiftly installed as his...

A timeline set 13-14 years after the Coventry Blitz, 7-8 years after the reconstruction of the Broadgate, and during the building of the Precinct. Not exactly saving Coventry. Saving a bit more of the historic centre beyond Spon Street, and restricting the damage wrought by the ring road, yes.

Domestic Bliss As 1953 drew to a close, Macmillan was reasonably entrenched and could point to concrete achievements. Rationing was almost over. Sudan, a drain on finances, had been palmed off. Early independence agreements had been thrashed out with Jamaica, Sierra Leone (with Britain...

The arrival of Macmillan at Number Ten was a source of surprise to the general public, although he was well-known. The circumstances of his elevation meant that there was no outcry about an unelected prime minister. Regardless, Macmillan was viewed as a popular choice and benefited from...

I'm well thanks, and your good self? I've probably been away from this for a good two years.

Thanks! I'll have to see.

A New Prime Minister Churchill had asked the Marquess of Salisbury to sound out the Cabinet as to who would be acceptable. Butler was too unpopular; the Home Secretary, David Maxwell Fyfe, did not command much support within the Cabinet (as he was regarded as overtly ambitious), but did in the...